Paul Domin, A Simsbury Teacher For 37 Years, Dies At 76

SIMSBURY — Paul Peter Domin, a Simsbury schoolteacher for 37 years, died Feb. 4. He was 76.

Domin graduated from Simsbury High School in 1955, where he was listed as "class clown," his family said. He immediately joined the U.S. Army.

He served two years at Fort Devens in Massachusetts, said his daughter, Stefanie Rezende. After his discharge, he attended New Britain Teachers College, now Central Connecticut State University, in the fall of 1958.

After graduating in May 1961, he was offered a job at Tariffvile Elementary School in Simsbury.

"He was a fantastic teacher," said Shirley Domin, his ex-wife. "The kids all called him Pado." She said Domin made up the name for his students to call him by taking the first two letters of his first name and the last two letters of his last name. She said she and her ex-husband have remained good friends.

His family said he was known for his sense of humor and was always joking. Domin's son, David, said he used his humor to keep his students motivated: "He was always doing funny things. He would connect with them and made sure no student was left behind."

His family said social studies was his favorite subject to teach.

"He liked to travel and see different places, then relate his experiences to his students," Rezende said. Rezende said he enjoyed traveling to Vermont and Washington D.C.

In 1963, Domin was transferred to the newly built Latimer Lane Elementary School, where he taught fifth grade, Shirley Domin said. He also taught fifth grade at Squadron Line and Tootin' Hills elementary schools.

Rezende said he father would often put together creative lesson plans. She remembered that her father taught a history lesson on Native Americans. He wanted to show his students how they lived and had his class build tipis and learn about Native American culture.

"He had a lot of patience," Rezende said. "He never got mad. He loved all his students. My father had the biggest heart."

Domin retired in 1997. David Domin said his father took pride in his garden. "He loved his yard. He loved to fish and to bowl."

Rezende said there was one thing her father always wanted to do, but never had the time.

"After he retired, he wanted to focus on writing children's books," she said. "We found some that he started. He liked to write a lot and kept a lot of diaries."

Rezende said her father was a caring person.

"He would come home, enjoy his yard, spend time with us and prepare for his next day of school," she said.